Are you searching for the best shoes or boots for Alaska? Maybe you are taking your dream Alaska Road trip, going on a dog sledding trip or looking for what to pack for your Alaska cruise. Either way, this isn’t another post where someone on the internet tells you the best shoes for Alaska just to make money. These are our real tried and true suggestions that we have actually worn in Alaska. We love shoes and options and we own many pairs of hiking shoes, snow boots, walking shoes and more. Since we have visited Alaska multiple times, we have worn some great pairs of shoes to Alaska and some really bad ones which won’t be suggested hear [but at least we know what not to suggest].

Whether you are traveling to Alaska during the winter, on an Alaska Cruise, or during the beautiful summer, a solid pair of shoes or boots for Alaska is a must! We always recommend that your shoes for Alaska be waterproof, no matter what time of year you visit or what type of trip you have planned! Alaska isn’t called The Last Frontier for no reason and you will be doing a lot of exploring so quality boots for Alaska is a must. All of our suggestions will be shoes we have personally owned or as close to as we can come if new footwear has come out since we purchased.

When finding the best shoes for Alaska, we strongly recommend investing and spending a little more money on your footwear. During our travels in Alaska, we have come across many people who do not have proper footwear and who didn’t invest in boots for Alaska. Their feet are wet and cold while others are enjoying their time because they had proper shoes for Alaska. Wet and cold feet do not make for an enjoyable trip so we truly suggest buying or borrowing a quality pair of boots or shoes for Alaska.

During your trip to Alaska, chances are you will be doing a lot of walking or hiking, even if you are visiting on an Alaska Cruise. This means that you will want your shoes for Alaska to provide support and comfort in addition to being sturdy and waterproof. Don’t worry, we have got you covered with lots of great selections on the best boots for Alaska.

We have broken this post down into two sections. The first will be the best boots and shoes for Alaska in the summer. The second will be our suggestions for quality boots for Alaska in winter or during the off-season.

Best Boots And Shoes For Alaska During The Summer

Best Shoes For Alaska For Women

When it comes to the best shoes for Alaska for women, think waterproof, warm, and comfortable! Nothing is worse than wet feet or blisters, so consider this carefully when choosing your hiking boots for Alaska. As mentioned above, comfortable shoes for Alaska are important, and waterproof is key, especially when visiting during the summer. Summer is rainy season in Alaska so you may see rain every day or almost every day! Keep your feet prepared with some nice waterproof shoes for Alaska!

Columbia’s Dakota Drifter Waterproof Trail Shoe. We love this shoe and have it in grey! It is ultra-comfortable and fully waterproof! It is often hard to find waterproof shoes but when looking for what shoes for Alaska, this needs to be your first priority! These shoes also pack light and small compared to other hiking shoes for Alaska and are very waterproof! From puddles to wet ground, they will keep your feet warm and dry!

Columbia Redmond Mid Waterproof Trail Shoe. If you are looking for hiking boots for Alaska that have a little more ankle support, these mid-rise waterproof shoes are perfect for you! Unlike the first recommendation above, these boots for Alaska are a bit bulkier and do take up more space in your suitcase. That being said, some people prefer a more hefty shoe for Alaska with more ankle support. It is up to you as an individual to choose which type you prefer. Victoria prefers a lower-cut shoe like the style above while Terrence prefers a more high-rise shoe with more ankle support. The best boots for Alaska are the ones you are most comfortable in!

Merrell Sugarbush Refresh Waterproof Hiking Boot. Looking for a pair of shoes for Alaska that are both stylish, supportive, and waterproof? These Merrells are the perfect shoe for you! They are also a great option if you are looking for shoes for your Alaska cruise as they go from walking around the cruise ship to hiking and exploring Alaska quite well.  While these boots for Alaska are a true hiking boot, yet the leather look makes them a little fashionable and rustic which is perfect for an Alaska cruise. The sturdy material also makes these boots for Alaska very warm so they could double as a winter shoe too, depending on your style!

Best Shoes For Alaska For Men

As with the women’s recommendations above, waterproof shoes and boots for Alaska are a must, especially if you visit during the summer! Many people think that since they are traveling to Alaska during the summer, they don’t need waterproof footwear and that couldn’t be further from the truth! Summer is rainy season in Alaska and on our last two-week trip, it rained every single day! You will want to invest in some good waterproof boots for Alaska if you don’t already own some!

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot. This is Terrence’s favorite pair of boots for Alaska and currently, takes the top spot as his favorite pair of hiking shoes for any trip. These hiking shoes for men are very hefty so if you are looking to save room when packing for Alaska it is a good idea to tie them outside of your luggage or backpack or wear them on the plane. These boots for Alaska made of quality materials and are also very waterproof. The quality can be seen immediately. They last a long time and are well worth the investment. With a thick pair of wool socks, they can double as shoes for Alaska in winter if you don’t want to buy two pairs for your visit.

Bogs Men’s Urban Farmer Rain Boot. If you are looking for a true pair of waterproof shoes for Alaska, why not go for a rain boot? These rain boots for Alaska aren’t the typical pair you used to wear as a kid. They are lower cut and take on the elements with ease. They are affordable and completely waterproof. If you get them dirty or muddy, it is very easy to just rinse them outside in the sink and let them dry. Rain boots for Alaska are a great option if you are visiting during the rainy season! They are also great shoes for an Alaska cruise because they will keep your feet dry walking around on a potentially wet or slippery deck.

Columbia North Plains II Hiking Shoe. If you are looking for the best affordable pair of hiking shoes for Alaska, this pair of shoes from Columbia is a solid choice! This is also the perfect choice if you are a guy who doesn’t love all the bulk for your hiking shoes. These hiking shoes for Alaska are low-rise and hit below the ankle so they don’t take up much space in your suitcase and are completely waterproof. Terrence loved them until one day he got hit by a wave on the beach, put them on a radiator to dry, and forgot about them until they were warped beyond belief. Solid pair and highly recommend this pair of hiking boots for Alaska.

Best Boots For Alaska In Winter

Best Women’s Winter Boots For Alaska

If you are shopping for winter boots for Alaska, understand that winters in Alaska are no joke. Not only do you need 100% waterproof shoes for Alaska, you need those shoes to be certified to keep your feet warm. This means that some winter boots are just waterproof while others are certified to keep your feet warm up to a certain temperature on the ground such as -30*F. If you are traveling to Alaska during the winter, we highly recommend investing in a good-quality pair of snow boots for Alaska. The extra $75-$150 will be well worth it and you will get to use the shoes on future trips to cold places.

Columbia Minx Mid II Omni-Heat Winter Boot. These are Victoria’s favorite pair of winter boots for Alaska! Don’t even consider packing these boots for Alaska during the summer, it won’t be cold enough and your feet will sweat!  The Omni-Heat technology means that these boots are certified to keep your feet warm up to temperatures of -25F. Victoria has worn these boots in winter in many cold places such as Nunavut in Arctic Canada, Iceland, Alaska, and more! If you are looking for the best winter boots for Alaska and you don’t already have a pair of winter shoes, this is a great buy and you won’t regret it! They are so comfortable and the inside is fluffy like you are wearing slippers.

The North Face Women’s Shellista II Mid. The best part about these boots for Alaska in winter is the fact the bottom is completely rubber like a rain boot. The bottom of these shoes for Alaska are made of rubber and the inside is lined with fluffy goodness and warmth to keep your feet cozy and dry. These shoes go well from walking around in the snow to going out to eat or out with friends. These shoes for Alaska are also very easy to be cleaned by simply rinsing them off in the sink.

Columbia Heavenly Shorty Omni-Heat Snow Boot. Victoria loves high snow boots for Alaska but many people prefer shorter winter shoes. If that is you, these are the best shoes for Alaska if you don’t want to bring something that goes higher up your leg. A higher shoe will provide more warmth and more waterproof possibilities but these shoes are indeed warm and waterproof just lower cut. They are certified with Omni-Heat technology and are also warm and cozy like slippers. If you want a great low-cut pair of shoes for Alaska, these are a great choice!

Best Men’s Winter Boots For Alaska

If you are planning to visit Alaska in winter, packing proper winter shoes is a must. Winters in Alaska are no joke and as a result, you must pack proper footwear! You are going to want waterproof snow boots for Alaska and you will want them certified to keep your feet warm as it gets well below zero in Alaska during the winter! Whatever shoes for Alaska you buy or borrow, make sure they are waterproof, have great reviews, and are certified to keep your feet warm like the ones we recommend here!

Columbia Bugaboot Plus Omni-Heat Michelin Snow Boot. These winter boots for Alaska are sturdy and rugged and the Omni-Heat technology makes them warm up to -22F which will be very useful when traveling to Alaska during the winter. We don’t understand why women’s winter shoes are soft like slippers while men’s shoes are rugged and stiff, but that is sadly the way it is! If you are a guy looking for the best winter boots for Alaska, these shoes have your back and we recommend wearing thick socks with them! They take up a lot of space so make sure to tie them on the outside of your luggage or check a bag!

Merrell Turku Trek Waterproof Winter Boot. If you are looking for a pair of shoes for Alaska that goes easily from rugged outdoors to drinks with friends, add these shoes to your Alaska packing list. Most men’s boots for Alaska are relatively rugged, but these shoes are warm, waterproof, and have a nicer look to them if that is something you are interested in. If you can only choose one pair of boots for Alaska for a winter trip, we recommend our first suggestion but these are great if you live in Alaska or somewhere cold and want a second pair so you can have options.

The Original MuckBoots Adult Arctic Sports Boot. If you are really looking for some serious snow boots for Alaska these are it! These shoes for Alaska are great if you are going to be doing a lot of outdoor winter sports or work and are completely made of rubber so you know they are 100% waterproof. We also love the high cut of these winter boots for Alaska so you can stay dry and warm when walking through the deep Alaska snow!

If there is one thing we hope you take away from our suggestions on what to wear in Alaska, it is that your shoes for Alaska must be waterproof, sturdy, and warm no matter what time of year you visit! We also hope that if you don’t already own quality boots for Alaska, you consider saving money and investing in a great pair so that you can enjoy your trip! Alaska is quite far to get to for most people so the last thing you want is to be cold and wet and to not enjoy your trip! With these suggestions, you are well on your way to having a wonderful visit to Alaska.

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